When we think about today's rap music, the term "Blazin hip hop and R&B" comes to mind. With all due respect, but when I think of that Blazin Hip Hop and R&B the same few artists comes to mind. Without spelling them out but you can pretty much hear these acts being played on urban and pop radio daily. Then you have what is called underground Hip Hop or rap. As of late I have been reminded that when you say Hip Hop regarding an artist, that artist have got to be cognizant of the culture as a whole. So if a rap artist is not representing the things that make Hip Hop a culture ( Mcing break dancing, graffiti art and DJing etc..) then it is safe to say that most people that are in the know will not call the artist a Hip Hop artist. They will simply label he or she as a rapper.
With that being said, one of my favorite "rappers" Kevin Gates embodies almost everything that has become synonymous with modern rap. For those that know Kevin Gates have been putting it down since 2002. But in recent years he have been making a more popular name for himself. With underground anthems like Satellites and Neon Light Kevin Gates has become your rapper's favorite rapper. With a over 6 full CD/projects under his belt his presence is dominate on all the rap blogs and websites. His teamBWA (Bread Winners Association) in-conjunction with Atlantic Records have made sure to populate the web with his music videos. As it is often written, before BWA signed it's major label deal with Atlantic Records they were and still is the driving force behind the Kevin Gates brand.
By now most people should know that Kevin Gates is one of the hardest working men in show business today. Averaging about 2 full projects a year it should be to know surprise that he blessed us with yet another release titled Luca Brasi 2 the mixtape. The mixtape is considered part 2 to one of his most successful selling projects titled Luca Brasi. So it is only fitting that he continue in that tradition. This time around Kevin attempts to go "mainstream" by using some of the industry's more popular acts such as Rich Homie Quan, August Alsina, K Camp and Rico Love. But unlike many rappers that goes the feature route Kevin's maintain his on sound, style and vibe which makes the project so dope. Again usually when you get another hot rapper on a song sometimes the main artist tries to sound like the hot rapper or it's too much of the hot rapper on the song. Kevin remains the focal point of the project by simply using other hot rappers to sing or rap on the hooks and choruses.
Many of the songs on this project is hot. But for the sake of this article I'm going to try to limit my excitement. The title track on the project is titled I Don't Get Tired. On this song we hear how Kevin stays on his grind and hustle comparing it to six jobs. To me the song should be considered a positive anthem because it promotes that get up get out and do something mentality. Another hot joint is titled Out The Mud. This song is about how he get his money from the dirty parts of the town. One of my favorite songs on the project is titled Making Love. Now just to be honest one of the things that I like most about Kevin Gates is his lyrical style, delivery and the way he sings. So on this song he not only showcases everything that I admire about him but he also uses the song's title "Making Love" in a unique way. You gotta check it out.
As a fan of Kevin Gates, you should know what you're getting yourself into. A very intelligent person who considers himself as a hustler. And must of the time during this project as well as his others his intelligence gets pimped out for all out foolishness and flat-out niggatry. But I know who Kevin Gates really is and his intelligence allows him to "play" ignorant. But if you really listen to what he is saying in between the lines you will realize that this guy has something to say. And to me if you're saying something positive in a lyrical way then maybe just maybe I can consider Kevin Gates Hip Hop. Until next time have some fun and get something done.
